Telegram-herald., 1887-06-12
MAKES IN ILLINOIS.
How the Reptiles Abound in Rush
rSWnshiP, Jo pagiess County.
fSr,a,.ial Coi-r,..-,,ntlenc-1

JOLIET, rs, Nay p.
The small group OK mountains in Rush
township, up IN 10 Davies county. this state,
almost on the Iowa boundary, are fairly
alive with snake hunters, whenever warm
day occurs, when the veslonious reptiles
crawl out OF their dens in the rocks and hud-
die together BY tho scores and hundreds in
tho sunshine, many varieties often being
f0End massed together. The old tirue snake
huaterS know Just whers 10 look for the rep
tiles, which az this season Of the year are dull
ani sluggish Many orders are received from
slowmen all over tho country for live rat
tiers. and the snake hunters generally receive
from .ifty cents 10 s3 each for them, accord
ing % their size and condition 10 Is not such
a dangerous matter 10 capture live rattlers as
many people suppose. The snake hunter pro-
vides himself with a large canvas bag, a
p0., eight tsct loag, with an iron hook at the
further end, and a wire so bent as to form
the outline for n slip moose Of stout hemp
cord. the line continuing down the pole 70 the
operators hands. Arriving at the den OF the
snakes, the reptiles are hooked out from their
beds under tks rocks where they lie basking
in the rays OF the san, then tie slip moose is
adjusted over the head and neck. the cord
pulled tight, when the snake is bodily
lifted on the end OF the pole and
thrown head first in the mouth Of the sack,
which IS held open by 4 boy in attendance
the cord is cut as near the rattler's head as
careful discretion wiz permit, then another
snake is hooked out, captured and bagged i'm
the same manner, often as many as thirty or
forty live rattlers being secured in one alter
noon. The rattlsrs, osce inside the sack, seem
-, 49, 81
create no connection nor make any effort 70
esrrpe. After tho snake hs:nter has secured
rs many rattiers az he desires, or as there
ha4eas 20 be within sight or fishing distance,
ne ties the mouth Of the sack, throws the bag
Of veuosneus reptiles over his shoulders and
hacks ms barslcn into town with rs little con-
Germ as though he we're carrying 50 many
dead quail Many folks in the region Of the
Rash nlountains deal largely in rattlesnake
oii. which IS popularity supposed 70 possess
wonderful curative properties OF a warm
afternoon n whole troop Of villagers will
sally cut issO the mountains. GrIred with
lails. cuigeis anf rods. sml when they come
gDou a den Of snsSss they proceed at oaos 20
H,eraliy whip tie lie our of then ~ ia TIER
.trcshing fails. Few, IL anT. OF tie reptiles
ever make their escape. Tie rattlers are as
sortsd otit Of the mcss of dead and writing
eptiies. and carried home In SACKS. where
the deed earcasses are thrown into
q rendering tank. and the oil all tli.sl
lut It Is tien carefully strained bottled
ard labeled. and i ready for tie market. and
o, scl Il Il sold as high a. 81 an ounce. So high
q reputation las it secured as an uufa.nE
remedial agent for the c;sre Of chroaic rheu-
nistisln and a dozen other ills tue human
family is heir %. There resides in a subtsr-
rsnaaa cavs in tins vicinity vcnerable
.ierInis 10 hos Tor nsnT years enjoyed a
viie local reputation ia nurttsrn Illinois Tor
IS powers OF keaIng snaka bites. Hs is said
. Pc on the most familiar terms wish al the
-attiers and ether venon1obs snakes In these
mountains. Re is sald to cure snake hltes
Tiz4cu- The all of any kint of aiedicine. and
apparently lse deiizhes e. fellowship with sud
aesi contTcl over every kind q vsnomous
entils- He silrays pro.eSts against their BE-
* ki.ied, s'id X Is ssif tat the larGest sai
llast veocut1s rattlers h.habit bis cave,
tnd daily cofne 50 him g b ca
essei. snd disappear in their den at rs
iHr~. Wherever person within the reach
+ this neriua Is 1iiten ~ fastier hls leal-
ag gilt IS iuvo<ei ard tie ratient il at once
siaeved cf al pains aad the poison Is ren-
.ered harmless. He simply places Lis
,snis uucn s>e w,sund srd csu5ios1s The sof-
.ersr not 30 take aay whisxy or other autiiote
affered bv others. he neeer accepts ray for
as services in hse saving Ise obi hsrisit
sss ofren been urged e, diveize the secret ~
~ uncanay alt. bus be only prote~es that it
. not lscantsticn. snd that he n rot ~
.sarue IT ccHioacs vfth the svii one. iut fur
L r. ssstissa.-is3r ~ Nil xivs